MOT history check
The MOT history of any car tested in Great Britain is free on GOV.UK. Here is how to read it before you buy, and when the next MOT is due.
What the MOT history shows
Every test since 2005: the date, whether the car passed or failed, the mileage, the items it failed on and the advisories. Defects are marked dangerous, major or minor.
Look for mileage that goes down or jumps oddly between tests, the same advisory coming back year after year (corrosion, tyres, brakes, suspension), and failures that were fixed and passed on the same day.
C4R does not fetch or store MOT records. The button above takes you straight to the official GOV.UK service, where you only need the registration number.
Questions people ask
Is the MOT history check free?
Yes. The GOV.UK MOT history service is free and you only need the registration number.
When does a car need its first MOT?
By the third anniversary of its registration, then every year by the anniversary of its last MOT.
How early can I get an MOT?
Up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out, and you keep the same renewal date. GOV.UK's example: if your MOT runs out on 15 May, the earliest you can get it and keep the date is 16 April.
How much does an MOT cost?
The maximum a test centre can charge for a car is £54.85. Many charge less. There is no VAT on the fee.
Can I drive a car without a valid MOT?
Only to a pre-booked MOT test or to somewhere it is being repaired. Otherwise you can be fined up to £1,000.
What is an MOT advisory?
Something the tester noticed that was not bad enough to fail, but may need work soon. Advisories are worth asking the seller about, especially if the same one appears on several tests.
Sources: GOV.UK: check MOT history, GOV.UK: MOT fees, GOV.UK: free MOT reminders. Rates checked 2026-10-09.